Weekly Digest: February 18, 2010

New Britain's Blueprint Roll Out is on TV

The roll out of the Blueprint for New Britain's Young Children will be broadcast on public access television on Friday February 19 at 9:00pm. If you are a Comcast subscriber it will be on channel 5. If you are a U-verse subscriber it will be on channel 99, then select "community" from the menu.  If you have questions, contact Merrill Gay at merrillg@nbdiscovery.org

New Haven Register Article: Gift packs for new parents focus on reading

Article By Patricia Villers, New Haven Register Staff

DERBY — Parents whose babies are born at Griffin Hospital will be going home with more than a bundle of joy. They also will be taking home informational kits donated by the Valley’s School Readiness Councils and Discovery Projects. The kits are enclosed in a plastic carrying case. They include a soft cloth first book, "Busy Baby;" two informational sheets, "Why Read to My Baby" and "Important Resources For You and Your New Baby;" two guides, "A Parent Resource Guide to Licensed Child Care Home Providers in the Valley," and "Lower Naugatuck Valley Child Care Resource Guide;" and a booklet about child development. A presentation of 1,000 of the kits was made Monday in the lobby of Griffin Hospital’s Childbirth Center. Pamela Lorenzo, chairwoman of the Early Childhood Task Force of the Valley Council for Health and Human Services, said, “We’re thrilled and honored to do this for this wonderful hospital.” She said it was “a new partnership” between Griffin Hospital and the Valley's School Readiness Councils. The gift was from the Readiness Councils and Discovery Projects of Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton.

To read the entire article, visit the New Haven Register website at http://www.newhavenregister.com/articles/2010/02/09/news/valley/b2-debabykits_provided_art.txt

Commission on Children Hosts Discussion on Family Civics and Parent Engagement

“Family Civics and Parent Engagement: Why it Matters to Connecticut” was the topic of the CT Commission on Children's Jan. 12 meeting. It featured a national scan of best practices, why the state is on the cutting edge, testimonials from parent leaders and a panel discussion on the return on investment.

To read more about this event, visit the Alliance website at http://www.earlychildhoodalliance.com/node/5175